Birmingham residents face recycling service suspension due to escalating bin worker strikes, with collections halted and disruptions expected through March.
The council confirmed the suspension on February 4. Residents should take recycling to centers to help with the piling waste problem. Only regular trash will be collected right now. Recycle at household recycling centers where possible.
Bundled cardboard can still be collected. Excess waste must go in black bags, and bin lids should be closed to prevent damage and reduce waste spillage. Resources are focused on housing blocks and multiple-resident homes. Assisted collections still happen as scheduled.
You can find waste centers in several locations, including Tyseley, Perry Barr, Kings Norton, and Castle Bromwich. Sutton Coldfield also offers one.
Workers announced strike days on February 3. Strikes happened February 4, 6, and 7, followed by others on February 10, 12, and 14. More strikes occurred February 17, 18, and 20, with further action on February 25, 26, and 27.
Strikes continued in March, disrupting collections on March 3, 4, and 6. More happened March 10, 12, and 14, with further action on March 17, 18, and 21. Also, March 25, 26, 28, and 31 had them, as well as April 2 and 4. Unite warns of more strikes if unresolved.
The strikes started because of job cuts; the council wants to cut a job role related to equal pay claims. The council aims to avoid future claims and says this will improve service. They offered workers other jobs, retraining, or departure packages.
The union disagrees with the job cuts and sees the role as vital for safety. Unite says cuts could mean less pay, with some workers potentially losing up to £8,000. Unite called their strike escalation a firm stand.
